CYCLING: In the wake of David O'Loughlin breaking the 10-year-old national pursuit record, more top-level Irish road riders are to undertake trials shortly with a view to participation in track events at the 2008 Olympics.

Professionals Mark Scanlon, David McCann, Ciarán Power and Nicolas Roche are among those who have expressed an interest and, according to Cycling Ireland's recently-appointed high performance manager, they will soon have a chance to see what their potential is.

"We've been talking with a lot of the top guys and will have a track-taster for them at the end of November," said Frank Campbell. "It will be held in Ghent and there will be a doctor there doing performance tests on them to see who has the potential to take to that type of racing.

"I think that track will play a much bigger part for Irish cycling from now on; there are more medals up for grabs there and the British model shows what can be achieved."

Meanwhile, Irish riders took more qualifying points towards their Olympic campaign at the Alanya Mountainbike Cup in Turkey last Sunday.

Robin Seymour was seventh of 50 starters in the elite men's race, despite suffering a puncture in the UCI Class One event. Niall Davis also had a mechanical problem, breaking his chain, but finished just one place further back, while Lewis Ferguson and James McCluskey were 13th and 17th respectively.

Tarja Owens finished a fine third in the women's event, while Ciara McManus finished sixth in what was her international debut.

Two off-road events will take place here on Sunday. The Ulster cyclo-cross winter league continues with the third round of the series, which is being run off at the Lisburn Island Centre.

Sunday: Ulster Cyclo-Cross round 3, Lisburn Island Centre. First events start at noon. Connacht MTB League, round 2. First races at noon.